Clarity sought over the status of Ellon Health Centre project

At the latest meeting of the Formartine Area Committee on Tuesday, Ellon councillor Gillian Owen sought clarity on where the new Ellon Health Centre was in terms of the Scottish Government's pause on projects.

At the last meeting on June 6, Item 8 Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership - Quarterly Performance Report on Strategic Delivery Plan stated, “Ellon Health Centre – The Scottish Government has advised NHS Boards to pause work on projects which require capital funding.

"This is because a new process for applying for capital funding is being developed."

However in the Scottish Parliament on June 23, Douglas Lumsden MSP asked the Health Minister what projects are impacted by the reported suspension of the Scottish Capital Investment Manual process.

To whcih Michael Matheson: replied The Scottish Government has not suspended the Scottish Capital Investment Manual process."

Commenting councillor Owen said at the meeting: "This exchange appears to be at odds with what the report tells us and I think we need to know what the exact position is?"

It was agreed at committee that the Area Manager Elaine Brown would look into this and report back.

Cllr Owen added: “We have to know what is going on, clearly the paper said NHS Boards had been advised to pause yet the Minister is saying a totally different thing.

"I really look forward to receiving the clarification we so badly need.”

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